Yama'a Islámica de Al-Andalus
Yama'a Islámica de Al-Andalus, also known as Liga Morisca, is an Islamic cultural organization in Andalusia, Spain, founded in 1980 in Almería. This organization was formed as a breakaway faction of the Frente de Liberación de Andalucía (Liberation Front of Andalusia). The main objective of Yama'a Islámica de Al-Andalus is to restore, preserve and spread Islam as part of the identity and traditional cultural reference of the Andalusian people.
History
The Yama'a Islámica de Al-Andalus was founded on the ideological premise of restoring what they called the dīn (Islamic religion/way of life) which was lost from Andalusian people after the Christian conquest (Reconquista). This movement focuses on local history education and the reconstruction of the historical relationship of the Andalusian region with past Islamic civilization. In the mid-1980s, this organization expanded its influence into the realm of practical politics by forming a party called Liberación Andaluza (Andalusian Liberation), which competed in the Andalusian regional elections in 1986.
Since its founding, the organization has experienced growth supported by the conversion of native Andalusian citizens to Islam. Today, the Yama'a Islámica de Al-Andalus manages various centers of religious and cultural activity in the major cities of southern Spain, including Málaga, Jerez de la Frontera, Almería, Algeciras, and Córdoba.
Political stance
In the socio-political dynamics of modern Spain, the Yama'a Islámica de Al-Andalus positions itself as a moderate movement that rejects all forms of radicalism. Following the terrorist incidents in Europe in the early 2000s, The organization issued an official statement together with the Almería authorities strongly condemning the violence and affirming their commitment to a free and democratic society. They also actively participate in religious pluralism partnership programs under the auspices of Fundación Pluralismo y Convivencia.
See also
- Islam in Spain
- Al-Andalus
- Andalusian Liberation